Seat construction



@et 24, 1939. H, Q FLlNT 2,??73563 'SEAT CONSTRUCTION Filed March 1S, 193e 2 sheets-sheet 1 H. C. FLINT SEAT CONSTRUCTION Filed March 18, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 24, 1939A 2.117.363 SEAT consTnUcTroN Hyland O. Flint, Royal Oak, Mich., assigner to Patent Sales, Inc., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application Maren 1s, 193s, smal No. isasss 1s claims. (ci. 15s-,sai

This( invention relates to a-seat constructionv and has special reference to a seat of the socalled unison type for usein chairs, davenports. vehicle seats or other constructions wherein it is desired to provide a synchronization of the substantially vertical movementof the back rest with the seat in order to effect a somewhat -oating support for the user.

More particularly,J this invention relates to a seat construction having a rigid support including an upright for resting on a supporting surface with a substantially horizontally extending seat frame secured adjacent one end thereof to the rigid support, the seat having a plurality of 'resisting pivotal movement of the seat frame opposed sides of the seat frame for resisting a vertically disposed weight with l the back rest frame supported directly on the yielding strips to follow the vertical movement of the strips in their function of resisting the weight of a person or thing disposed thereupon.

'Ihe yielding strips are preferably of a type which have a maximum flexibility, the strips being capable of flexing universely in any direction. Such strips may comprise wires having substantially horizontally extending'undulations to form the strips with the strips being normally upwardly arched. In breaking down the arch to conform to the outline of the person or,- object seated or disposed thereupon the spacing of the undulations is reduced as the strip approaches a straight line from its normal arched position. The normally substantially horizontal position of the undulations may likewise be disturbed which by reason of this construction is readily accommodated, thus alfording a universal flexibility.

Since lthe back rest frame is supported by or connected directly to preferably a major number of these strips, the weight of a person or object upon the strips to deflect them from their normally arched position will cause a movement of the-backrest frame downwardly therewith. The connectionbetween the back rest frame and 5 thestrips is preferably afforded by a detachable connection comprising a pair of opposed bars having their opposed surfaces of arcuate shape, the .wire forming the yielding strips being preferably round and being disposed in engagement 1o therebetween for presenting a minimum contact area.

The opposed bars are preferably detachably, connected to the back rest frame, and resilient spacing means are disposed between the opposed i5 bars and the back rest frame for permitting relative flexibility therebetween. When the angle between the back rest frame and seat frame changes, the resilient spacing means takes up whatever play may be occasioned by such changed positions. For example, if the back rest frame has a substantial pressure exerted thereagainst, it moves rearwardly relative to the seat, and the angle which normally may approach a right angle tends toward an obtuse angle. Where the seat receives pressure and pressure is relieved from the back rest frame the angle therebetween may be changed from that approaching a right angle toward an'acute angle. Thus the resilient spacing means permits such relative exibility and yet at all times obtains a substantially stable or fixed relation therebetween with resultant elimination of noise and rattling.

Resilient means are secured between the upright of the rigid support and the end of the 'seat 35 frame opposite to that which is secured to the rigid support so that, when a person or object is disposed thereon, a double suspension is afforded thereto to resist the vertical action thereof. The yielding strips ail'ord one means of suspension and the resilient means just recited aiord a second suspension means and each thereof is different in character, action and results from the other.

It is also contemplated by this invention to provide a seat frame which is vpivotally secured to the rigid support and extends angularly therefrom above a horizontal position so that when the weight of a person or object is disposed thereon the seat frame will assume a normally substantially horizontal position. Any further exertion'of force or weight in addition to the weight of the person or object as, for example, by means of irregularities on, the surface over which a vehicle is traveling, permits a further movement t iorded a double suspension.

subsequent movement of the seat extending ythe springs at a low rate of recoil. f

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a seat construction of the character indicated above wherein the imposed weight is 4af- Another object of this invention is to provide a. seat construction of the ytype hereinabove described wherein the seat frame extends angularly above a horizontal position from the rigid support to which it is secured.

A still further object of this invention is to noted above which has a comparatively long initial drop when force or a weight is exerted on the seat frame to provide a low rate of recoil of the resilient means thereof.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a seat construction of the type hereinabove noted wherein the seat frame thereof has a plurality of normally upwardly arched yielding strips dis-` posed between opposed sides thereof.

It is another'object of this invention to provide a seat construction which is so constructed and arranged as to facilitate packaging for storage and handling.

Other objects and advantages of this inven-` tion will hereinafter be more particularly point-` ed out, and, for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention.` reference may now be had to the following description when read together with the accompanying drawings, in whichy latter:

Figure i is a perspective view of a seat construction embodying the features of this invention;

Fig. '2 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 2-2 oi Fig. i;

Y Fig. 3 is .an end elevational view of. the cone struction shown in Fig. 1 showing the seat upholstered and in section;

Fig. i is an enlarged detailed view of a fragmentary portion of the seat construction taken on the line d-i ci Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed view of the connection between the back and seat frames taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2; l

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed view of the sea construction taken on the line of Fig. 2; and

Fig. '7 is a side elevational view of the seat construction shown in Fig. 3 with the back rest occupying a horizontal position `in alignment with the seat for packaging.

Referring now more particularly to the draw ings, the seat construction of the present invention is illustrated in a form which is particularly adapted for use in automotive vehicles valthough the construction may be readily adapted for'various other uses which will be apparent4 from a further consideration thereof.

A- rigid support is provided for resting on a supporting surface, the support comprising e.

substantially rectangular base portion l0 with an upright lI extending from a rear side thereof, the front side of the base being offset to provide a raised bar l2. The upright I I is likewise preferably rectangular in shapeV and both the base support and the upright are preferably formed oi'me'tal of angularcross section. The upright is shown as being rigidly secured to the base portion I of the rigid support' although for pur 5 poses of convenience in packaging for storage or shipment the upright maybe pivotally secured to the base portion as will hereinafter more particularly be described. In the rigid construction, a pair of braces I3 are disposed between the upright and the base portion of the support and are flxedly connected therebetween.

The seat frame I4 preferably comprises a substantially rectangular channel member, the forward edge of which is preferably mounted to the raised cross bar I2 as by means of a pair of hinges I5.

For resisting a vertically disposed weight on the seat a plurality of yielding strips ISare connected between opposed sides of the seat frame, each of the strips, in the instance of the drawings, being shown as comprising a wire of circular cross section having substantially Ihorizontally extending undulations. The strips are normally upwardly arched with the ends of thev wire being preferably permanently secured in brackets welded or otherwise secured to the ends of the channel frame. In the manufacture of the yielding strips the wire undulations are given a permanent arcuate set of comparatively small radius, which forming may be done on a mandril, and thereafter the strips are extended from the normal small radius to that of a larger radius to conform to the desired arch to be formed on the seat frame. Thus, when a weight is disposed on the yielding strips a further enlarging of the radius is obtained which is resisted by the normally smaller radius of set. The resistance afforded by the yielding strips is thus obtained by the enlarging of the radius from the initial position of set originallyiformed in the strip to which the strip seeks to return.

The back rest frame i7 is likewise preferably formed of angular cross section in a substantially rectangular form, the width oi the back rest being preferably substantially the same as that of the width of the seat frame. A plurality of yielding strips IB are connected between the opposed sides of the rectangular frame and are preferably permanently connected thereto. The do yielding strips ld are of the same structural elements as those strips previously described with reference to the seat frame and are connected in the same manner. There is possibly a difference merely in the weight of the material employed 55 in order to afford perhaps a softer resistance to the weight of the person or thing resting thereagalnst.

The baci: rest frame Il is preferably connected directly to the yielding strips I6 of the seat frame, the connection comprising a pair of opposed bars it and 2li between which the yielding strips it are clampingly engaged. 'The op. posed faces of the cross bars I9 and 20 are preferably of arcuate cross section as shown more particularly in Fig. 6 and engage opposite sides pivotaily i5 envases is prevented from lateral disbar I9 and ,collar 22 for extension through an aperture in/the cross bar of the back rest frame I1. The y/head of the bolt is disposed between the cross'bars I9 and 20 with the nut being disv posed on the threaded free end adjacent the cross vbar of the frame I'I to prevent4 displacement. The resilient spacing means permits anguiar exibility oi' the back rest frame with the back rest frame will not engage the nonconnected strips.

Inl order toafford a double suspension means to` accommodate the vertical resistance to the weight of an object or person supported on the seat, a resilient means is disposed between the upper cross bar of the rigid upright II and the free end of the seat Il. This resilient means is shown in thel form of two coil springs 24 equidistantly spaced from the center of the4 frame although of course it will' be understood that'any number of springs as desired may be employed. The coil springs 24 normally hold the seat frame Il in the aforesaid position of angularity above the horizontal whereafter when a weight is disposed on the seat, a normal weight will extend the coil springs to a position such that the seat is substantially` horizontal and further force or weight disposed thereon will vary the position oi' the seat from its substantially horizontal position. Such above mentioned normal weight may be predetermined for determining the number of springs or correct rate of. spring resistance.

Resilient means are also disposed between the rigid upright II and the backrest frame I1 for -resisting rearward movement of the back rest frame and for permitting vertical movement with respect to the fixed support responsive to the movements of the yieldingstrips or the coil` springs 24. Such resilient means are shown and g described inv my copending application Serial No. 59,265, led January l5, 1936, and comprises a pair oil-rockers 25 and 26 pivotally secured respectively to the backrest frame I1 and the rigid support II, a coil spring '21 being disposed between the rocker members. A pair of such resilient members are shown and for the purposes of this application are all that is necessary for affording the resilient action desired. However,

it is of course apparent that other equivalent lmeans may be substituted for these means and also that a greater number of units may be em.- ployed 4as desired.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 3, the seat construction is shown as being upholstered in a usual manner. 4A padding 28 or usual upholstery material is rested against the yielding strips I8 of the vbaci: rest frame and is covered by any deired fabric or other material 29. Simi--A larly,-a padding of upholstery material l may rest against the yieldingstrips I6 and b'e covered f 3 with a fabric, leather, or other covering material 3|. However, in the construction shownin `the drawings, an auxiliary frame 32 of substantially U-shape is provided, the arms oi' the U'- shape frame being connected as at 33 to the main seat frame and extending angularly therefrom above a horizontal position in the opposite direction to the angular inclination of the main seat frame with a resilient member or members,

'shown in the form of torsion springs being disposed between the main frame and the auxiliary frameto afford a soft front edge.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 7, the rigid ,upright- II is shown as being pivotally secured as at Illa to the base portion of the rigid support .III with the braces Ila being 4pivotally secured to the upright II for detachable connection with the base portion of the rigid Support 'III so that'the seat frame and backrest may. occupy a substantially horizontal position 'for disposal` in a cardboard container or the like 29.

In thz's condition the connection between the back rest and seat frames should be detached as well as one end of the coil springs 2l, the construction in its entirety being thus readily packaged for convenience and economy in. storage and handling, and readily and quickly assembled for use. While but a single embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various modications thereof may be apparentto those skilled in the art without departing from. the spirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only to be limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claims.

I claim: 1. In a device of the character described, a rigid support including an upright for resting on a supporting surface, a substantially horizontally .extending seat frame secured adjacent one end thereof to said rigid support, a plurality of yielding strips yfcr resisting a vertically disposed weight and for connection between opposed sides of said seat frame, a substantially vertically extending backrest frame supported byvsaid yielding s'rips adjacent the otherV end of said seat frame for vertical movement therewith, and

means supported between said upright' and said back rest frame for resisting rearward movement cf said back rest frame and for permitting vertlcal movement with respect to Said fixed support responsive to the movement of said yielding strips.

2. In a device of the character described, a rigid support including an upright for resting cn a supporting surface, a substantially horizontally extending seat frame secured adjacent one end thereof to said rigid support, a plurality of normally upwardly arched yieldingstrips for resisting a vertically disposed weight and for connection betweenopposed sides of said seat frame.

a substantially-verticallyv extending back restv extending vseat frame secured adjacent one end 75,

lil

Atrarne and for permitting vertical movement with respect. to said ilxed supportresponsive to the movement of said yielding strips.

d. in a device of the character described, a rigid .support including an upright for resting on a supporting surface, a substantially horiaontally extending seat frame secured adjacent one end thereof to said'rigid support,` a plurality oi normally upwardly arched yielding strips for resisting a vertically disposed weight and for connection between opposed sides of said seaty frame, a substantially vertically extending back l rest frame supported by a plurality of the intermediate normally upwardly arched strips adjacent the other vend cf said seat frame for verv tical movement therewith, said back rest trame having end portions overlying the non-supporting strips offset in-a direction away' from said strips, and means supported between said upright and said back rest frame for resisting rearward movement of said back rest frame and :for permitting vertical movement with respect to said fixed support yresponsive to the movement of said yielding strips.

5. In a device of the character described, a rigd support including an upright for resting on a supporting surface, a substantially horizontally extending seat frame pivotally secured ad- 'jacent one end thereof to said rigid support, a.

plurality of yielding strips for resisting a vertically disposed weight and for connection 'between opposed'sldes of said seat frame, a4 substantially vertically extending 'back rest frame supported by said yielding strips adjacent the other end. of said seat framefor vertical movement therewith, means supported between said upright and said back rest frame for resisting rearward movement of said back rest frame and for permitting vertical movement with respect to said fixed supportresponsive to the movement ofsaid yielding strips, and resilient means secured between said upright and the end of said .seat frame opposite said pivotally secured end for resisting pivotal movement of said seat frame vin one direction.

d. In a device of 'the character described, a-

rigid support including an upright for resting on a supporting surface, a' frame pivotally secured adjacent one end thereof to said rigid su`pport and extending "angularly therefrom to swing from a position slightly above a' horizontal plane to a. position slightly below a horizontal plane, aplurality of yielding strips connected between opposed sides of said seat frame, a substantially vertically extending 'back rest frame supported by said yielding strips adjacent the other end of said seat frame for vertical move` ment therewith, means supported between said .upright and said back rest frame for resisting rearward movement of said back rest frame and for permitting vertical movement with respect to said fixed support responsive to the movement of said yielding strips, and resilient means seaivases cured between said upright andthe end oi said frame opposite said pivotally secured end for resisting pivotal movement of said seat frame in one direction and for holding said seat frame in said position of angularity during non-use thereof.

7. .in a device of the character described, a

rigid. support including an upright for restingv on a supporting surface, a substantially'horizontally extending seat frame pivotally secured ad jacent 'one end thereof to said rigid' support, a plurality of normally upwardly arched wires having substantially horizontally extending undula- Ations to form yielding strips for resisting a vertically disposed weight and for connection between opposed sidesy of said seat frame, a substantially vertically extending back rest framev supported ,by said normally upwardly arched yielding strips adjacent` the other end of said seat frame for vertical movement therewith, means supported between said upright and said back rest frame-for resisting rearward movement of said back rest 'frameandfor permitting vertical movement with respect to said fixed support responsive to the movement of saidyielding strips, and resilient means secured between said upright and the end of said frame opposite said pivotally secured end forresisting pivotal movement of said seat frame in one direction.

8. In a device of the character described, a

. rigid support including an upright for resting on asupporting surface, a main seat frame pivotally secured adjacent one end thereof to said rigid 'support andextending angularly therefrom to swing from apposition slightly abovea horizontal plane to a. position -slightly below ahorizontal plane, a plurality of normally upwardly arched yielding strips connected between opposed sides of said seat frame, an auxiliary frame having one end connected to said main seat frame and extending angularly therefrom above a horizontal position in Fthe opposite direction, resilient means for supporting said' auxiliary frame on said main frame, a substantially ver tically extending back rest frame supported by said normally upwardly arched yielding strips adjacent the other end of saidfseat frame for vertical movementtherewith, and means Asupported between said uprightv and said back rest frame for reslstlngrearward movement of said back rest and for permitting vertical movement with respect to said fixed support responsive to the movement of `said resilient strips, and resilient means secured between said upright and the. n

end of said frame opposite said pivotally secured end for resisting pivotal movement voi. said seat frame in one direction and for holding said seat ,frame in said position of angularityduring nonuse thereof.l y. 9. In a device' of the character described, a

- rigid support including a pair of spaced uprights for resting on a. supporting surface.- a substantially horizontally extending seat frame pivotally secured adjacent one end thereof to said rigid support, a plurality of spaced yielding strips for resisting a vertically disposed weight and for v connection between opposed sides of said seat frame, said spaced uprights extending. upwardly within the confines of said seat frame in' the space between adjacent pairs of yielding strips, a substantially vertically dextending *backy rest frame supported by said normally upwardly arched strips adjacent the' other end of said seat frame for vertical movement therewith, f means supported between said upright and said.. u

back rest frame for resisting rearward movement of said back rest frame and for permitting vertical movement with respect to said ilxed support responsive to the movement of said yielding strips, and resilient means secured between said upright and the end of said frame opposite said pivotally secured end for resisting thereof to said rigid supporta plurality of yielding strips for resisting a vertically disposed weight and for connection between opposed sides of saidv seat frame, a substantially vertically extending .back rest frame connected to said yielding strips adjacent the other end of said seat frame for vertical movement therewith, said connection comprising a pair of opposed bars extending across at least a majority of said strips with said strips disposed therebetween, means for detachably connecting said opposed bars to said back rest frame, and means supported between said upright and said back rest frame for resisting rearward movement of said back rest and for permitting vertical movement with respect to said ilxed support responsive to the movement of said resilient strips.

11. In a device of the character described, a

" rigid support including an upright for resting on mitting relative nexibillty therebctw a supportingsurface, a substantially horizontally extending seat frame secured adjacent one end thereof to said rigid support, a plurality ofyielding strips for resisting a'vertically disposed weight and for connection between opposed sides of said seat frame, a substantially vertically extending back rest frame connected to said yielding strips adjacent the other end of said seat frame for vertical movement therewith, said connection comprising a pair of opposed bars extending across at least a majority of said strips with said strips disposed therebetween, means for detachably connecting said opposed bars to said back rest frame, resilient spacing means between said opposed bars and said back rest frame. for per-` and means supportedbetween said upright and said back rest frame for resisting rearward movement of said back rest and for permitting vertical movement with respect to said xed support responsive to the movement of said resilient strips.

12. In a device of the character described, a rigid support including an upright for resting on a supporting surface, a substantially horizontally extending seat frame secured adjacent one end thereof to said rigid support, a plurality of normally upwardly arched wires having substantially horizontally extending undulatons to form yield-4 ing strips for resisting a vertically disposed weight and for connection between opposed sides of said seat frame, a substantially vertically extending back rest frame connected to said yielding strips adjacent the other end of said seat frame for vertical movement therewith, said connection comprising a pair of bars having opposed arcuate faces for receiving in engagement therebetween ywires of said yielding strips, means for detachably connecting said opposed bars to said back rest frame, and -means supported between said upright and said back rest frame for resisting rearward movement of said back rest and for permitting vertical movement with respect to said fixed support responsive to the movement of said yielding strips. v

13. In a device of the character described, a rigid support including an upright for resting on a. supporting surface, a substantially horizontally extending seat frame pivotally secured adjacent one end thereof to said rigid support, resilient means carried by said seat frame vfor resisting a vertically disposed weight, a substantially vertically extending back rest frame connected to saidl resilient means of said seat frame for vertical movement therewith, means supported between said upright and said back rest frame for resisting rearward movement of said back rest frame and for permitting vertical movement with respect to said xed support responsive to the movement of said resilient means of said seat frame, and resilient means depending from -said upright for connection with the end of said seat frame opposite said pivotally secured end for resisting pivotal movement ot said seat frame in one direction.

HYLAND C. FLINT. 

